Luke Davenport is back in the driving seat with Motorbase Performance

Luke Davenport was back behind the wheel of a car with Motorbase Performance at Snetterton. Picture: Jakob Ebrey

Driver renews race licence in recovery from horrific crash

Luke Davenport’s miraculous recovery from a serious motor racing accident has continued with the return of his race licence.

The 24-year-old Cambridge-based driver was involved in a horrific 11-car pile-up in a British Touring Car Championship race in North Yorkshire in June, suffering multiple fractures and being placed in an induced coma.

But little more than four months later, and Davenport was back behind the wheel of a car again on Tuesday, testing for his Motorbase Performance team at Snetterton.

It was initially felt by the Motor Sports Association approved doctor that Davenport was not ready to return to racing, but would be fine for testing.

However, the licence – which is subject to a continuing 12-month medical assessment for all drivers – covers all aspects of driving, so a case was put forward by Paul Trafford, the British Touring Car Championship doctor who helped Davenport at the time of the crash.

The MSA accepted the argument and re-issued the DUO-backed driver with his licence late last week. And that allowed him to test a new car for the TCR championship for Motorbase at Snetterton.

“It was a bit nervous beforehand as the team offered me the test but it was looking like it might not happen,” he said.

“But we were able to have a little bit of time to prepare over the weekend.

“The testing went really well; I’m so pleased. It was a no-pressure session where we were not timing.

“I didn’t have any flashbacks and was very comfortable in the car. It was about feedback and analysing the data; and that my technique was up to scratch.

“It was a fantastic opportunity but a surprise; they [Motorbase] are really keen to support me.”

But it is far from the end of the road for Davenport, who still has months of physio remaining. However, he does have a target in sight.

“We’re not at the end of the recovery yet, by a long way,” he said.

“It allows my physio to see what we need to work on and have a halfway review to where the recovery is at.

“And February is still the end date for when I am able to push a high-powered car again.